Means and method fob governing tflttid pkessubes



Feb. 14, 1928. 1,659,354

G. G. EARL MEANS AND METHOD FOR GOVERNING FLUID PRESSURES Original Filed Aug. 27, 191 3 qEoRqE EARL INVENTOR.

By m w W HIS ATTORNEY- 5 Patented Feb. 14, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE G. EARL, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

MEANS AND METHOD ron GOVERNING FLUID rnnsstmus.

Original application filed August 27, 1918, Serial No. 251,662. Divided and this application filed July 20, 1922. Serial No. 576,260%.

My invention relates to means and methods for governing fluid pressures and fluid flows and relates more particularly to the exercise of a control by one fluid pressure, which may be derived from one fluid flow, over a second fluid pressure or flow.

Preventing overreaching and underreaching of controlling mechanisms is one of the objects of my invention.

I have found by. actual practice that my invention, which relies for its operation upon well known hydrostatic and hydraulic laws, effectively prevents such overreachmg and underreaching, and always lllSllI'GSCOl root and proper automatic control.

Simplicity, rapidity of action and cheapness of construction are other objects of my invention.

These and other objects, as well as the invention itself, maybe better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of my invention, and which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated, I apply my invention to systems employing movable surfaces, which may be diaphragms or divisions, and located between two pressures, and which control, through their movements, the operation of-fluid or fluid pressure regulating mechanism to maintain equal the pressures applied to such surfaces. In such embodiments I combine with such equal pressure movable surfaces definite amounts of a liquid whose pressure acts on one side thereof, and which liquid is of greater specific gravity than the liquid acting on the other side thereof. The heavier liquid confined in containers so formed and dimensioned. and placed to permit not only the maintenance of equal pressures on the two sides of such surface, but will result as well in causing predetermined amounts of motion at such dimensions and in a governing valve for predetermined departures from normal pressure conditions, thereby bringing either constant or slower or more rapid corrective efforts, as may be required. By the use of one or more equal pressure surfaces, which may be divisions or diaphragms operated upon by two or more fluid pressures, due to fluids of different specific gravity, corrective effects are exerted whenever departure from normal exists. I can also regulate the intensity of the desired corrective effect in any desired relation to the amount of departure from the desired normal condition.

In the drawing apparatus is shown whereby through the use of my invention one flow is maintained proportional to another, and different from it by a predetermined amount of pressure.

A, is a source of fluid pressure and supply, for example, say a water main under pressure, which supplies water through the duct Y, to the chamber F,, in which there is a restriction D, through which the water flows escaping thru a duct W, to the outlet of relatively low pressure (1,. It is evident from what has been said before that the difference between the pressures upon the bot tom of the members N, and N, will be proportional to the differences in pressures on the opposite sides of the orifices D, and that such pressures will be conveyed to the bottoms of the diaphragms M, and M, less the weights of the columns of liquid which are represented by the pressure P,.

at A, is another source of fluid pressure and supply at a lower pressure than the pressure in A say of water, which flows through the duct Y, to the valve chamber V,, and thence into the chamber F, and through the orifice D, therein. Pressure will be conveyed through the duct X to the upper side of the diaphragm M, from the approach side of the orifice D, and from the discharge side of said orifice through the duct X, to the upper side of the diaphragm M,. The water flows from F, through the valve V, and the duct W, to the outlet C,. The diaphragm M, will admit water to the approach side of the restriction D, from the source A, at a pressure lower than that acting upon the lower side of the diaphragm N, by the mercury column P,; that is, the pressure on the approach side of the restriction D, will always be equal to that on the approach side of the restriction D, less the pressure P,. The same thing will be true of the discharge side of the orifice, so that the pressure differences on the two sides of the orifices will always be maintained proportional and the flow from A, to C, will always be proportional to the flow from A, to 0,.

It will be evident that the diaphragms N 7 and N, maycarry regulating valves, or that any two or three or four of said diaphragms could carry regulating valves, and that the mercury columns S, and S, may either or both be placed in communication witha container C, through the ducts 102 and 104: by the operation of the valves 101, 103 and 105. With these modifications, it will be apparent that not only may the flows be maintained proportional, but that where gas flows are controlled, they may be regulated as to their density.

Assuming the spaces between the pairs of diaphragms N, andv M, and between the diaphragm-s N, and M", are filled with a relatively heavy fluid, such as mercury, and that communication is had with a container C, of preferably relatively large area filled to any level, such as illustrated, with a pressure, such as atmospheric pressure, acting upon its SUIfLCQtllIS level being assumed to i be as shown, and atmospheric pressure being assumed to be 39,, the pressure on the top of the diaphragms N, and N, will be h,+p and the pressure on the bottom of the diaphragms M, and M, will be h,+p,.

Now it will be evident that these relations will exist even though the valves 103 and 105 be subsequently reclosed and that the pi'essure on the one side of the diaphragms and M, will still be equal to h,+ 10,, except as this pressure will be altered by the pressure eflect exerted on the under sides of ing to the variations in pressure on the two sides of the orifice D, as modified by the pressure effects of the intermediate column of trapped heavier liquid between the pairs of diaphragms M,N, and M,N,.

Thu's the flow from the source A, is maintained proportional by a predetermined amount of pressure represented by the pressure effects of the said intermediate liquid columns disposed between the said respective pairs of diaphragms.

It will be seen alsothat the flows may be gas flows and that in such a case the density of the gas of one flow will be maintained proportional to that of the other flow.

-While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention and the particular details thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous departures may be made therefrom without departing from, the spirit of the invention.

This application is a. division from, and continuation of my previously filed co-pending application Serial 251,662, filed August 27, 1918, and in part a re-filing of claims covering certain inventions disclosed therein,

I claim to conduct a fluid flow, a second conduit for conducting a second fluid flow, a member responsive to a difference between two opposing pres-sures and means to communicate two opposing fluid pressures to the said member, one communicated from a point in the said first conduit, the second from a point in the second conduit, and a valve in one of the said conduits adapted to variably restrict the flow therein, under the control of the said member, means to communicate a third pressure adapted to continuously opposingthe effect of each of said two opposing pressures.

2. In a fluid system, a conduit adapted to conduct a fluid flow, a second conduit for conducting a second fluid flow, a member responsive to a difference between two opposing pressures and means to communicate two opposing fluid pressures to the said member, one coimnuuicated from a point in the said first conduit, the second from a point in the second conduit, and a valve in one of the said conduits adapted" to variably restrict the flow therein, under the control of the said member, means to communicate a third fluid pressure adapted to unequally oppose the effect upon said member otherwise accomplished by each of the said communicated pressures.v

3. In a fluid system, a first conduit and a second conduit, each of said conduits having restrictions therem, a valve-mterposed 1n the second conduit on each side of its restriction, each of said valves being differentially operable by opposing pressures communicated from corresponding sides of the two restrictions. 7

4. In a fluid system, a conduit adapted to conduct a'fluid flow, a second conduit for conducting a second fluid flow, a member responsive to a dilference between two opposing fluid pressures, means to communicate two opposing fluid pressures to the said member, one communicated from a point in the said first conduit, the second from a point in the second conduit, and a valve in one of the said conduits adapted to variably restrict the flow therein, under the control of the said member, means to communicate a third pressure adapted to op pose one of the said communicated pressures by a predetermined pressure, and tooppose the other communicated pressure by a pre determined different pressure.

5. In a fluid system, a conduit adapted to conduct a fluid flow, a second conduit for conducting a second fluid flow, a member responsive to a difference between two opposing fluid pressures, means to communicate two opposing fluid pressures to the said member, one communicated from a point in the said first conduit. the second from a point in the second conduit, and a valve in one of the said conduits adapted to vari ably restrict the flow therein, under the control of the said member, means to communicate a third pressure adapted to continuously modify the effect upon said member by one of the said communicated pressures by a predetermined pressure effect, and to oppose the effect thereon communicated by the other said communicated pressure by a different predetermined pressure effect.

6. In a fluid system, a conduit adapted to conduct a fluid flow, a second conduit for conducting a second fluid flow, a member responsive to a difference between-two opposing fluid pressures, means to communicate two opposing fluid pressures to the said member, one communicated from a point in the said first conduit, the second from a point in the second conduit, and a valve in one of the said conduits adapted to variably restrict the flow therein, under the control of the said member, means to communicate a third pressure adapted to continuously modify the effect upon said member by one of the said communicated pressures, by a predetermined pressure effect and to modify by a different pressure effect the effect on said member by the other communicated pressure, said third communicated pressure being a fluid pressure exerted by a head of liquid, said member comprising a pair of' movable fluid tight divisions, a chamber between the said divisions, said Chamber being filled with a fluid, said two opposing pressures beingccommunicated to the outer sides of said divisions, said third pressure being communicated to the inner side of one of said divisions by said chamber con tained fluid.

7. In a fluid system, a conduit adapted to conduct a fluid flow, a. second conduit for conducting a second fluid flow, a member responsive to a difference between two opposing fluid pressures. means to communicate two opposing fluid pressures to the said member, one communicated from a point incated pressure by a predetermined differing modifying pressure effect, said member comprising a pair of movable fluid tight dlvisions, a chamber between the said divisions, said chamber being filled with fluid, said two opposing pressures bcing communicated to the outer sides of said divisions.

8. In a fluid system, a conduit adapted to conduct a fluid flow, a second conduit for conducting a second fluid flow, a member responsive to a difference between two opposing fluid pressures, means to communicate two opposing fluid pressures to the said member, one coumnmicated from a point in the said first conduit, the second from a point in the second conduit, and a valve in one of the said conduits adapted to variably restrict the flow therein under the control of the said member, means to communicate a third pressure adapted to continuously modify the effect upon said member effected by one of the said communicated pressures, and to modify the other communicated pressure effect thereon. by a predetermined amount of pressure, said third communicated pressure being a fluid pressure exerted by a head of liquid, said liquid being of different specific gravity than the fluids exerting the said two opposing pressures.

9. In a fluid system, a conduit adapted to conduct a fluid flow, a second conduit for conducting a second fluid flow, a member responsive to a difference between two onposing fluid pressures, means to communicate two opposing fluid pressures to the said member, one communicated from a point in the said first conduit, the second from a point in the second conduit, and a valve in one of the said conduits adapted to variably restrict the flow therein under the control of the said member, means to communicate a third pressure adapted to continuously op pose each one of the said communicated pressures but with differing opposing pressure effect upon each, such effects differing by a constant predetermined amount of pressure, said third communicated pressure being a fluid pressure exerted by a head of liquid, said liquid being of different specific gravity than the fluids exerting the said two opposing pressures, said member comprising a pair of movable fluid tight divisions, a chamber between the said divisions, said chamber being filled with a fluid, said two opposing pressures being communicated to the outer sides of said divisions, said third pressure being communicated to the inner side of one of said divisions by said chamber contained fluid.

10. In a fluid system, a conduit adapted to conduct a fluid flow, a second conduit for conducting a second fluid flow, a member responsive to a difference bet-ween two oppos ing fluid pressures, means to communicate two opposing fluid pressures to the said member, one communicated from a point in the said first conduit, the second from a Ill) point in the second conduit, a valve in one of the said conduits adapted to variably restrict the flow therein, under the control of the said member, means to communicate a third pressure adapted to continuously oppose one of the saidcommunicatedpressures with a given opposing pressure eflect and to oppose the other communicated pressure by a ditlerent pressure effect, said third communicated pressure being a fluid pressure e2;- erted by a head of liquid, said member coinprisinga pair or" movable fluid tight divisions, a chamber between the said divisions, said chamber being filled with a fluid, said two opposing pressures bein communicated to the outer sides of said divisions, said third pressure being communicated to the inner side of one of said divisions by said chamber contained fluid, said third pressure being exerted against the adjacent sides of said divisions, said liquid being of different specific gravity than the fluids exerting the said two opposing pressures.

11. In a fluid system, a pair of conduits each adapted to conduct a fluid flow, a pair of fluid flow controlling valve mechanisms each comprising a member responsive to a difl'crence between two opposing fluid pressures, means to communicate two opposing fluid pressures to the said member, one communicated "from a point in the sail conduit, the second from a point in the second conduit, a valve in one of the said conduits adapted to variably restrict the flow therein, under the control of the said member, said first fluid controlling valve mechanism dc riving its two opposing fluid pressures from a first point in each of said pair or" conduits, and said second fluid flow controlling valve mechanism deriving its said two opposing fluid pressures from a different point in each of said pair of conduits.

12. In afluid system, a pair of conduits each adapted to conduct a fluid flown a pair of fluid flow controlling valve mechanisms each comprising a member responsive to a difference between two opposing fluid pres sures, means to communicate two opposing fluid pressures to the said member, one communicated from a point in the said first con- Vduit,'the second from a point in the second conduit, a valve in one oi the said conduits adapted to variably restrict the flow therein underthe control of the said member, means to con municate a third pressure adapted to' continuously modify the effect of both the said communicated pressures upon said member, said first fluid controlling valve mechanism deriving its two opposing fluid pressures from a first point in each of said pair oi conduits, and said second fluid flow controlling valve mechanism deriving its said two opposing fluidpressures from a diii'erent point in each of the said pair of conduits.

13. In a fluid system, a pair of conduits each adapted to conduct a fluid flow, a pair of fluid flow controlling valve mechanisms each comprising. a member responsive to a difference between two opposing fluid pressures, means to communicate two opposing fluid pressures to the said member, one communicated from a pointin the said first conduit, the second from a point in the second conduit, a valve in one of the said conduits adapted to variably restrict the flow therein, under the control of the sald member, means to communicate a thlrd pressure adapted to continuously modify the eflective.

value oi one of the said communicated pressures, said third communicated pressure being a fluid pressure, said first fluid controlling valve mechanism deriving its two opposing fluid pressures from a first point in each of said pair of conduits and said second fluid flow controlling valve mechanism deriving its said two opposing fluid pressures from a different point in each of the said pair of conduits.

' 14. In a fluid system, a pair of conduits each adapted to conduct a fluid flow, a pair of fluid flow controlling valve mechanisms each comprising a member responsive to a difference between two opposing fluid pressures, means to communicate two opposing fluid pressures to the said member, one communicated from a point in the said first conduit, the second from a pointin the second riving its said two opposing fluid pressures from a different point in eachof the said pair ofconduits.

15. In a fluid 7 each adapted to conduct a fluid flow, a'pair of fluid flow controlling valve mechanisms each comprising a member responsive to a difference between two opposing fluid; pressures, means to communicate two opposing fluid pressures to the said member, one coinmunicated from a point in the said first conduit, the second from a point in the second conduit, a valve in one of the said conduits adapted to variably restrict the flow therein, under the control of the said member, means to communicate a third pressure adapted to continuously modify the effective pressure value of one of the said communicated pres-- sures upon said member, said third communicated pressure being a fluid pressure exertsystem, a pair of conduits ed by a head of liquid, said liquid being of diflerent specific gravity than the fluids ex difference between two opposing fluid pressures, means to communicate two opposing fluid pressures to the said member, one communicated from a point in the said first con- 7 duit, the second from a point in the second conduit, a valve in one of the said conduits adapted to variably restrict the flow therein, under the control of the said member, means to communicate a third fluid pressure adapted to continuously oppose one of the said communicated pressures, said third communicated pressure being confined between fluids communicating the said two opposing pressures, said first fluid controlling valve mechanism deriving its two opposingfluid pressures from a first point in each of said pair of conduits, and said. second fluid flow controlling valve mechanism deriving its said two opposing fluid pressures'from a different point in eachof the said pair of conduits.

17. In a fluid system, a pair of conduits each adapted to conduct a fluid flow, a pair of fluid flow controllin valve mechanisms each comprising a meniber responsive to a difference between two opposing fluid pressures, means to communicate two opposing fluid pressures to the said member, one communicated from a point in the said first conduit, the second from a point in the second conduit, a valve in one of the said conduits adapted to variably restrict the flow therein, under the control of the said member, means to communicate a third fluid pressure adapted to continuously modify the eflect of one of the said communicated pressures and to 0ppose the other communicated pressure, such modification and opposition at all times hav ing the same commensurable relation to each other, said third communicated pressure being a fluid pressure exerted by a head of liquid confined between fluids communicating the said two opposing pressures, said first fluid controlling valve mechanism deriving its two opposing fluid pressures from a first point in each of said pair of conduits, and said second fluid flow controlling valve mechanism deriving its said two opposing fluid pressures from a different point in each of the said pair of conduits.

18. In a fluid system, a pair of conduits each adapted to conduct a fluid flow, a pair of fluid flow controlling valve mechanisms each comprising a member responsive to a difference between two opposing fluid pressures, means to communicate two opposing fluid pressures to the said member, one communicated from a point in the said first conduit the second from a point in the second conduit, a valve in one of the said conduits adapted to variable restrict the flow therein, under the control of the said member, means to communicate athird pressure adapted to continuously modify the said communicated pressures with diflerent pressure forces having a constant difierence in pressure values, said third communicated pressure being a fluid pressure exerted by ahead of liquid, said liquid being of ditl'erent specific gravity than the fluids exerting the said two opposing pressures, said first fluid controlling valve mechanism deriving its two opposing fluid pressures from a first point in each of said pair of conduits and said second fluid flow controlling valve mechanism deriving its said two opposing fluid pressuresi'rom a dlfl'erent point in each of the said pair of conduits.

19. The process of governing one fluid flow by another fluid flow to maintain it proportional to such other fluid flow and different therefrom by a predetermined amount of pressure comprising communicating the pressures existing on the two sides of'a restriction in the line of governing flow to a first and second pressure balancing means respectively, and opposing the effect on each said means by pressures abstracted from the governed fluid flow line at corresponding sides of a restriction therein and in communicating to each of the said means a third source of fluid pressure to modify the resultant of feet of pressure communicated to each said means and in throttling the flow in the controlled flow line on the approach and discharge sides of such restriction according to the effect of the pressures upon the balance means and responsive to pressures on the approach and discharge side of the restriction in the governing flow line respectively.

20. In a fluid pressure system, the combination with a conduit conducting a standard fluid} flow, a conduit conducting a second fluid flow, a pair of regulating mechanisms, a restriction, said mechanisms being disposed in the line of the second fluid flow on the two sides of the said restriction, said restriction also included in the line of such flow, a restriction in the line of the standard fluid flow, a pair of elements adapted to receive pressures on their two sides, each controlling one of the said mechanisms, the pressure of the fluid at the approach side of the first said restriction being communicated to a side of a first one of the elements, fluid pressure from the discharge side of the first said restriction being communicated to a cor responding side of the second element, fluid pressure from the approach side of the second said restriction being communicated to an opposite side of the said first element, and fluid pressure from the discharge side of the second said restriction being communicated to a corresponding opposite side of the second said element, said mechanisms beingcontrollable under the influence of said elements to effect an increase in the rate of 'flow through the second conduit.

21. In a fluid pressure system, the combination with a conduit conducting a standard 'fluid flow, a conduit conducting a second fluid flow, a pairof regulating mechanisms, a restriction, said mechanisms being disposed in the line of the second fluid flow on the two sides of the said restriction, said re striction also included in the line of such' flow, a restriction in the line of the standard fluid flow, a pair of elements adapted to re-' ceive pressures on their two sides, each c011 trolling one of the said mechanisms, the pressure ofthe fluid'at the approach side of the first said restriction being communicated to a side ofa first one of the elements, fluid pressure from the discharge side of the first said I'BSlJllClllOIl being communicated to a corresponding side of the sec-ond el'ement,

fluid pressure from the approach side or" the second said restriction being communicated to an opposite side of the said first element,

andfluid pressure from the discharge side of the second said restriction being communicated to a correspondingopposite side of the second said element, said mechanisms being controllable under the influence of said elements to effect an increase in the rate of flow through the second conduit, ducts for communicating the fluid pressures on the two sides of the second, said restriction to the elements, said ducts comprising a portion filled with a liquid unmixed with the fluid from the first conduit, said fluid exerting a' constant difference of pressures in opposite direct-ions upon the saidelements and the fluid under pressure communicated from the said first conduit.

22. In a fluid system, a first conduit and a second conduit, each of said conduits hav-' ing restrictions therein, a valveinterposed in the second conduit on each side of its restriotion, each of said valves being differen-v tially operable by opposing pressures communicated from corresponding sides of the two restrictions, and means comprising a liquid column, adapted to exert a pressure in opposition to one of the pressures exerted upon one of saidvalves- 23. In a fluid system, a first conduit and a second conduit, each of saidconduits hav-' ing restrictions therein, a valve interposed in the second COIICllllt' on each side of its restriction, each of said valves being difler- I entially operable by opposing pressures 'com inunicatcd from corresponding sides of the two restrictions, and means comprising a liquid column, adapted to exerta pressure in opposition to one of the pressures exerted upon said valves.

24. In a fluid system, a first conduit and a second conduit, each of said conduits having restrictions therein, a valve interposed in' the second conduit on each side of its restriction, each of said valves being difli'erentially 'o erable by opposing pressures coininunicate from corresponding sides of the two' restrictions, and means comprising a liquid column, adapted to exert a pressure in opposition to one of the pressures exertedupon one of said valves, and a restriction intermediate the end surfaces of the interposed liquid. N

25. In a fluid system, a first conduit and a secondconduit, each of said conduits hav- GEORGE e. EARL. I 

